How To Help A Stroke Charity

A stroke is a life-threatening emergency where the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. Stroke victims must be treated immediately for the best chance of recovery. One in six people in England will suffer a stroke in their lifetime, with 30% of these people going on to have another one later down the line.

WHY VOLUNTEER WITH A STROKE CHARITY?

With over 30,000 stroke-related deaths each year in England alone, you could stand to help a huge number of people when you volunteer with a stroke charity. Whether your efforts are focused on raising awareness or supporting people in their recovery, there are lots of different ways you can help out.

Whatever way you decide to help, volunteering is an incredibly positive thing to do, both for yourself and for the people you help. You might find that you enjoy the time you spend volunteering, and even pick up some new skills that could enhance your CV and future job prospects.

HOW TO HELP STROKE CHARITIES

Raise Awareness Of Symptoms

Spotting the signs of a stroke and responding quickly and decisively can be the difference between life and death. Symptoms include not being able to lift your arms or feeling weakness or numbness in them, slurred speech, and the face dropping on one side. You can raise awareness of stroke symptoms in many ways, whether you're handing out leaflets on the street or at events, sharing resources on your social media channels, or organising a talk at your local community centre.

Join A Club

Self-help recovery groups and clubs such as the Second Chance Stroke Group are incredibly valuable to people recovering from a stroke. From group physiotherapy sessions to activities, talks, and musical performances, you could help your local club by becoming a committee member, operating social media accounts and websites, or organising events.

Become A Driver

Suffering a stroke can cause mobility problems, meaning people who want to take advantage of the services on offer through stroke charities are unable to do so. Thankfully, there are charities that help people like this by driving or escorting them wherever they need to go.

Offer Telephone Support

Some stroke charities in the UK offer telephone support to people who've suffered a stroke, which can cause anxiety, distress, and social isolation. Hearing a friendly voice or just knowing there's someone on the other end of the phone can be a real comfort, whether it's for information and advice or just some companionship.

Help Out At A Support Centre

Some UK stroke charities have offices and centres where the support they offer is based. From working on reception to helping out in a cafe or library, you could also get involved with things like advocacy and raising awareness and funds when you volunteer at a support centre.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU VOLUNTEER

Some volunteering roles may require a minimum time commitment every week, while others may only need you for a couple of hours every few months. No matter your time constraints or availability, you're sure to find a role that suits your personal circumstances.

WHERE TO GET STARTED

If you want to get involved with a stroke charity here in the UK, start by taking a look at these three great organisations below:

• Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland
• Stroke Association
• The Brain Charity

HELPING DESERVING CAUSES

If you'd like to know more about getting involved in volunteering in your community, take a look at our Local Causes page and find opportunities near you.

Our players also help a wide range of deserving Charities. They've raised hundreds of millions of pounds for good causes to date. If you'd like to join us in supporting deserving projects, sign up today.